Rotary engine.



No. 694,603. Patented Mar. 4, |902.

n. w. BAR-Ton.

ROTARY ENGINE, (Application led Apg. 7, 1900. Renewed'uly 22, 1901..)

(No Model.) 3 shallots-Shaml I.

X51-venan' No. 694,603. Patented Mar. 4', |902.

, 3. W. BARTM.` vkomm! ENGINE.

(Application Bled Api'. 7, 1900. Renewed July 22, 1901.)

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(lo Model.)

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`110.1;944503. Y Patented Mar. 4,1902. R. W.' BARTON.

RUT-ANY ENGINE.

. (Applicstionled Apr. '7, 1900. Renewed July D2, 1901.) i (No Ilodsl.) v 3 sheeish--Shlaet 3.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ROBERT' W. BARTON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO HOLMES-BARTON COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION CF ILLINOIS.

ROTARY ENGINE.

lSJ?E(TIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 694,603, dated March 4, 1902. Application filed April 7,v v1900. Renewed July 22, 1901. Serial No. 69,296. (No model.)

To tZZ'wwm t may concern.:

Beit known that I, ROBERT W. BARTON, a citizen of the United States, residing lat Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Rotary Engines,- (Case No.

1,) of which the following is a full, clear, conoise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to rotary engines, and more particularly to that class of rotary engines in which a plurality of pistons is rotatably mounted about a fixed crank-pin, and has for its object the provision of an improved construction for engines of this class. Heretofore difculty has been experienced in supplying' the rot-ating pistons with steam, air, or other driving fluid, excessive friction occurring between the rotating and stationary parts through which the said driving liuid was conducted. Difficulty has also been experienced in such engines in the provision of efficient and simple valve mechanisms for controlling the flow of the driving fluid into the cylinders.

Generally speaking, my invention comprises in its preferred embodiment a plurality of pistons rotatably mounted about afixed crankpin, the cylinders in which these pistons are adapted to operate being flxedly secured to a frame which is rotatably mounted about a fixed shaft, preferably by means of ball-bearings. This frame is preferably provided with channels, which channels are in communication with a pressure-chamber, to which the driving fluid is supplied, said driving fluid flowing throughthe channels into the valves which are provided in connection with each cylinder. I employ flexible gaskets or other suitable packing means between the frame supporting the cylinders and the stationary shaft, about which the said frame is rotatably secured, the said flexible gaskets preventing leakage of the driving fluid from the pressure-chamber.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention I employ rocker-valves,- the valves also being operated by means of eccentrically rotatably mounted valve-rods. I preferably xedly secure-the valve-chest tothe cylinderhead, by which means I am enabled to construct an engine which is readily taken apart and Whose worn parts may be readily rey placed. I provide means in connection with the eccentrically-mounted valve-rods whereby the eccentricity thereof may be varied, so that the engine is reversible at will, as well as having a speed control over wide range.

I provide means in connection with my pres- 6.o ent invention for reducing the speed of the driving mechanism of the engine Within practical limits.

One of the objects of my invention also consists in the provision of a machine the friction whereof is materially reduced from that occurring in engines of the prior art. I attain these objects and others which will be apparent by means of the construction which I will now describe in connection with the ac- 7o companying drawings, illustrating the pre-Vv ferred embodiment thereof, in which- Figure 1 is a partial longitudinal sectional View of an engine constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a partial sec- 75 tional view transverse to the axis of the eugine, illustrating in detail the arrangement of the cylinders. Fig. 3 is a detail View showing the reversing mechanism. Fig. 4 is a sectional view thereof, the reversing-lever 8o being in its central position. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the engine, illustrating the arrangementand operation of the valves and showing a modification employed in connection with my machine. Fig. 6 is a 85 view on lines ot a of Fig. l. Fig. 7 is a crosssectional view on line b b of Fig. l. Fig. 8 isa sectional view on line c c of Fig. 1.

Like letters of reference indicate like parts throughout the views.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown four cylinders 1 l fixedly secured to a hub 2 2, the said hub being secured on one side by a frame 3 and upon the other side to a disk 4:. The frame or casing 3 is provided ywith two 95 ball-bearings 5 5, which are adapted to engage balls G 6, revolving about bearings y7 8, provided upon a fixed shaft 9. The bearing 7 is preferably in fixed relation to the shaft 9, bearing 8 being longitudinally adjustable roo thereon. The frame 3 is thereby rotatably secured about lthe shaft 7, the ball-bearings interposed between the shaft 9 and the frame 3 serving to reduce the friction to a minimum. The shaft 9 is fxedly secured toa casing 10 by means of a nut 11, having screw-threaded engagement with said shaft. I provide a crank-disk 12 upon the said shaft 9, the said crank-disk having a longitudinally-extending crank-pin 13,Which is eccentrically mounted with respect to the center line of the shaft. I employ pistons 14 14 in cooperative relation with the cylinders 1 1, the said pistons being provided with connecting-rods 15 15. The connecting-rods are rotatably secured to the crank-pin 13 by means of a split-sleeve arrangement, each connecting-rod 15 being provided With a bearing portion 16, secured about the crank-pin 13 by means of collars 17 17. The said bearing portions 16 16 do not occupy the total angular space of three hundred and sixty degrees about the crank-pin 13, as is more clearly shown in Fig. 2, a portion of each of the said bearing portions 16 16 being cut away, so that the pistons may occupy different relative positions when in different angular relations with the said crank-pin. The connecting-rods are mounted about bearing-rings 18 18, the bearing-rings having engagement with'the crank-pin 13 through the agency of ball-bearings consisting of the balls 19 19. Au adjustable bearing 2O is provided upon the crank-pin 13,whereby the exact alinement and adjustment of the ball-bearings is secured. In order to compensate for wear which necessarily occurs in the operation of the engine, I taper the sides of the bearing-rings 18 18 and the bearing portions 16 16, so that a longitudinal adjustment of the thrust-bearing 2O will longitudinally displace the said bearing portions and cause an axial movement of the connecting-rods 15 15, thereby providing for a readily-adjustable main bearing for the engine. A lock-nut 21 is preferably provided to lock the bearing-rings in place after having been once adjusted. It will be seen that this bearing combines the requisite ease of adjustment with low friction, the circular movement around the crankpin being accomplished through the agency of the ball-bearings, the slight relative displacement of the connecting-rods causing very little friction. A shaft 22 is preferably iixedly secured to the disk 4, which shaft serves to transmit the power generated in the cylinders 1 1. In order to transmit this power at ordinary commercial speed, I provide a reduction mechanism consisting, preferably, of double reduction-gears 23 24 and 25 26. The gear 23 is iixedly secured to shaft 22 and has toothed engagement with the gears 24 24, which are rotatably secured about shafts 27 27, stationarily held in a supporting-frame 2S. The gears 24 24 are tightly secured to the pinions 25 25, these pinions having toothed engagement with the main driving-wheel 26, which in this instance is shown as being integrally united to the driving-shaft 29. I provide a cover 30 for the casing 10, the said cover serving also as a bearing for the main shaft 29. Bearing-rings 31 31 are coperatively associated with the corresponding bearing-rings 32 33 through the agency of ball-bearings 34 34. The bearing-ring 32 is adjustable longitudinally upon the main shaft 29 for the purpose of properly alining the ball-bearings 34 34, a lock-nut 35 being employed to lock the bearing-rings in place after adjustment. The shaft 22 is rotatably secured to the casing throughthe agency of the main drivingshaft 29, the said shaft 22 being mounted upon the inside thereof. A bearing-ring 36 is provided upon the shaft 22, the said bearing-ring 36 being cooperatively associated with bearing-rings 37 38 through the agency of ballbearings 39 39. A bearing of very low frictional resistance is thereby afforded for the operation of the shaft 22. The bearing-ring 36 is rotatable through the agency of the ballbearings 39 39. An easy means is hereby provided for removing the cover 30 as well as the main driving-shaft, together with the bearings and gear annexed thereto. It will be seen that the rotatable driving portion of the machine, which consists of the cylinders 1 1, collars 2 2, frame 3, disk 4, and transmitting-shaft 22, are mounted at the opposite ends thereof upon the inside of the shaft 29 and about the exterior portion of the shaft 9, respectively, through the agency of ball-bearings, so that the said rotating portion has an engagement of very low frictional resistance, thereby insuring efficient operation. In order to conduct the driving duid to the cylinders, I provide an inlet 41 upon the exterior casing 10, a channel 42 leading to an annular opening 43 about the shaft 9. The shaft 9 is preferably hollow, and the driving fluid is preferably conducted to the interior of the said shaft through the agency of channels 44 44, which are in engagement with holes 45 45, provided in the nut 1l. The interior of the shaft is in communication with the pressurechamber 46 about the same by means of holes 47 47, the said pressure-chamber comprising the annular space between the shaft 9 and the frame 3. Channels 48 48 in the frame 3 are in communication with the annular space 47,the said channels being connected to valves 49 49, provided upon the cylinders 1 1 through the agency of pipes 50 50. The driving fluid, which may be steam, air, gasolene, or other suitable material, is conducted through the inlet 41, channel 42, annular space 43, channels 44 44, holes 45 45 through the interior of the shaft 9 to the annular space 46. From here the driving fluid is conducted through channels 48 48 in the frame 3, pipes 50 50 to the valves 49 49, from whence the same passes through the ports provided in said valves into the cylinders, Where its power is utilized to drive the pistons. The rocker-valves which I preferably provide in connection with the cylinders are operated in this instance through the agency of arms 51 51 and valverods 52 52. Said valve-rods are operated in IOC IIO

a manner similar to that employed for operating the connecting-rods 15', as will be more clearly apparent in Fig. 5. The valverods are each secured to a bearing portion- 53,A the said bearing portions being. rotatably mounted in split-sleeve arrangement about a collar 54, the said collar beingr mounted upon a ring 55 through the. agency of adjustable ball-,bearings 56, a lock-nut being again pro'- vided in this instance for holding the valve portions in place. I provide a very efficient means for the mounting of the 4split-sleeve bearing portions operating the valve-rods, 'the said bearing portions being held in place about the collar 54 by means of rings 57 57, the engaging surfaces between the rings 57 57 and the bearing-portion'53 being conical, as illustrated more clearly in Fig. l. The s a-id portions being thereby self-locking, no anxiliary means for holdingrthe rings 57-57 upon thebearing portions 53-53 being necessary.

The supporting-ring 55, about which the saidv bearing portions are mounted, is preferably eccentrically mounted with respectxto the y the frame 28. A movement of the arm 59 y developed by the engine.

engine may readily be effected through a rewill therefore effect a movement of the ringi 5S, thereby changing the eccentricity of the ring 55 and changing the amount -of power A reversal kof the versal of said arm 59. The cut-off of the engine may be readily varied through this arrangement, the amount of the variation depending upon the useto which it is desired to put the engine. The frame 28 is preferablyY secured in place between the casing 10 and the cover 30. The arms 5l are secured to valves 61, said valves being rotatably mounted'in the steam-chest 62 and alternatelyfeonnecting the admission-port 63 with the steamchest 62, thereby effecting an admission of the driving fluid into the cylinder, and with the exhaust-port opening 64, Vthe engine in this instance preferably exhausting into the surrounding air about the cylinder. p

The diagrammatic arrangement of the valves is shown in Fig. 5, the position of each one at the respective position of the cylinders being indicated.

In Fig. 7 I 'have more clearly illustrated the communication between the interior of the shaft 9 and the pipes 50 50. `Graskets 65V 65 are interposed between the supportingframe 3 and the shaft 9**for the purpose of preventing leakage of the driving fluid from the annular chamber 47` to the external atmosphere. Theamount of friction between these gaskets and the shaft 9 does not materially increase the total frictionof themachine, the means for introducing the driving fluid into'the machine being thereby very efficient.

, In.Fig.-y8 I have shown more'in detail in what manner the interior of the shaft is connected with the annular chamber through the holes 45 45. The connecting-rods 15 1 5 are preferablysecured to the pistons 14 14 through the agency of pins 66 66, thepins 66 66 being secured in place by means of a lock-pin 67. Gaskets 6868 are preferably provided within the,valves-forpreventing the leakage of the driving fluid from. the steam-chest into the atmosphere. l Any suitable bearing, however, may be employed to ,effect the same object.

- I provide means in connection with ymy invention, `which are more clearly illustrated in Fig. 5, whereby my engine isadapted to operate partially as a repulsion-motor. To this end I provide pockets 69 69 about the vinterior periphery lO. of the engine, into which the exhaust coming from the exhaust-pipe 64 is adapted to discharge. Thepockets 69 are provided only about one-half ofthe per-iphery of the'engine-frame and -help to rotate the rotatable memberof the engine during that portion of thetime lin which the cylinders are not of themselves performing work.

I dolnot wish to be limited to the exact construction and form of the valvemechanism herein shown. While I have herein shownA and particularly describedone embodiment of my invention, itis obvious that many modifications thereof may-readily be made-bythose skilled inthe art without departing fromits spirit. Ido not, therefore, wish tok limit myself to the precise construction shown;l but I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letlters Patent, the following:V

l. In a rotary engine, thecombination y'with rotatably v-,mounted cylinders; of pistons adapted to operate in: said cylinders; means for conveying-driving Huid to said cylinders, whereby the said pistons, may be operated; and means provided in connection with said cylinders, whereby the driving Viiuid, when exhausting from the said cylinders, isadapted to impart a rotary'motion tothe said cylinders, substantially as described. f e l 2. In a rotaryengine, the combination-with rotatably mounted cylinders; of pistons adapted to operate in said-cylinders; v means for conveying dri-ving iuidto said cylinders, whereby thepistons may be'operated; and pockets 69, 69, provided -in connection-with the said cylinders,whereby the,driving1iuid,V when exhausting fromvthe said cylinders, is adapted to impart a rotary motion to t-he said cylinders, substantially as described. 3,. In a motor,-the combination with a cylinder provided with a -reciprocatinglpistom a valve mechanism for admitting operating fluid to the'cylinder and a-hollow stationary shaft, provided with an annular recess -upon its exterior having two sloping side walls, of

a frame rotatably mounted upon the shaft, means for conveying` operating' fluid to thev valve mechanism,-A means provided for est-ab- ICO IIO

lishing communication between the interior i of the shaft'andthe said annular recess,whereby operating fluid passed through the shafty may be admitted to the valve mechanism,

and packings 65, 65 carried by the said frame and engaging the sloping walls of the said recess, a space intervening between the said frame and shaft, whereby anl annular chamber about the shaft is provided, means being provided in the said frame and the shaft for aiording passage for the Hui d passing through the stationary shaft, substantially as described.

4. In an engine, the combination with a pl uralityof cylinders, of pistons adapted to operate in said cylinders, connecting-rods associated with said pistons, an eccentricallymounted crank-pin, tapered sleeves associated with the said connecting-rods and interposed between the said connecting-rods and the crank-pin, and collars for holding the connecting-rods in place about the said tapered sleeves, substantially as described.

5. In an engine, the combination with a plurality of cylinders, of pistons adapted to operate in said cylinders, connecting-rods associated in split-sleeve arrangement with said pistons, an eccentrically-mounted crank-pin, adjustable nieansinterposed between the said connecting-rods and said crank-pin, and means for securing the said connecting-rods in place about said crank-pin, substantially as described.

6. In an engine, the combination with a plurality of cylinders, of pistons adapted to operate in said cylinders, connecting-rods associated with said pistons, an eccentricallymounted crank-pin, tapered sleeves 18 associated with the said connecting-rods and interposed between the said connecting-rods and the said crank-pin, and an adjustable ballbearing interposed between the said sleeves and the said crank-pin, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a cylinder,of a hollow shaft upon which the cylinder is mounted to rotate, the said cylinder being provided with a reciprocating piston, valve mechanism for controlling the admission of operating Huid to the said cylinder, a casing surrounding the shaft and traveling with the cylinder, a space being provided between the said casing and shaft for receiving operating fiuid passed through the shaft, means being provided for establishing communication between the interior of the shaft and the said space, and a duct intervening between the valve mechanism and the said casing and serving to establish communication between the space surrounding the shaft and the valve mechanism, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a single stationary hollow shaft, of a plurality of cylinders mounted to rotate thereon, each cylinder being provided with a reciprocating piston, a valve mechanism for each cylinder, a casing surrounding the shaft and aording an inclosed space between the same and the shaft, means being provided for establishing communication between the said space and the interior of the shaft foroperatinguid passed to the same, and aplurality of ducts intervening between the said casing and the valve mechanisms, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 29th day of March, AnD. 1900.

ROBERT W. BARTON.

Witnesses:

MAX W. ZABEL, CHARLES J. SCHMIDT. 

